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I think Leon Panetta will make a fine CIA director. As an outsider who spent some time as Chair of the National Intelligence Council, I would note that some outsiders have done well in the past and some insiders have not. The director will be surrounded by many good professionals who can advise him on tradecraft. The director's job is to bring political and ethical judgment to bear on hard calls, and for that Panetta is eminently well qualified.

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